I just resurrected my 88 and solved an electrical issue that was caused by a wire that got loosened when I replaced the speedometer recently... i checked the fuses and then went wire by wire with my Clymer's and a volt meter until i found the culprit... thanks to all who advice when i posted that one.....

I got the new speedo in place and instantly knocked 10,000 miles off the bike but it looks like the original cable just isn't making proper contact... it also looks like the bulb in the speedometer is burned out....

First question - aside from the cable itself is there anything else that could be causing the new speedo not to work??  i have verified that the cable works by hooking the end to a drill and it does make the speedo turn... i have also verified with the cable off the engine that the part that is supposed to turn inside the engine is operating properly so i'm thinking the end of the cable that goes into the engine is just worn down or somehow is just not making contact... any thoughts??

Also, how big of a pain is it going to be to change the bulb in the new speedometer??  i have the old one as a reference so i'll at least be able to see how things are supposed to go back together.....

You're gonna hate me for asking!!!
But when I took my speedo of I almost put the cable back in upside down, couldn't remember which side went where. You did put it in the right way??
Did you use the correct o-rings? maybe if they are too fat the little thingies don't go all the way in? Yeah I know I don't know what I'm talking about, but that's what popped into my head.

What speedo?